Plane carrying 170 catches fire during landing in Nepal

Mar. 8, 2014
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by USA TODAY

by USA TODAY

KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) - An Indian jetliner with 170 people on board caught fire while landing in Nepal's capital on Saturday, but there were no casualties reported.

The right wheels of the Airbus 320 operated by budget airline Indigo caught fire during the landing and passengers were quickly evacuated through emergency doors, said Rishikesh Sharma, chief of Tribhuwan International Airport in Katmandu.

Sharma said emergency workers responded quickly to control the fire. Officials were investigating the incident.

Nepalese businessman Satish Shrestha, who was aboard the plane with his daughter, said passengers were complaining of a "rubber burning-like smell" even before the aircraft landed. Shrestha, who regularly flies the route, said the plane was flying too low before landing.

Officials refused to give details, saying the incident was still being investigated.

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